A cross section of the Leone Stars delegation to Morocco has safely arrived in Freetown from Casablanca, Morocco after 3 successful engagements in international friendlies. The delegation was headed by the President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, Mr. Thomas Daddy Brima, alongside the SLFA Vice President Mr. Harold Nat-Johnson, General Secretary of SLFA Mr Christopher Kamara, the Minister of Sports Hon. Ibrahim Nyelenkeh, Executive Director of NSA Dr. Kenneth Brima, and a host of other officials. The contingent also includes 12 home-based players and the technical staff.

These football friendly matches are part of Leone Stars preparation for the next AFCON finals in Cameroon.

The first batch of the Leone Stars delegation left Freetown on the 3rd October 2021 for 3 international friendlies in El Jadida and Mohameddia Cities in Morocco, where the team played against South Sudan, The Gambia and Morocco on the 6th, 9th and 12th respectively. The national team drew 1-1 against South Sudan, secured a 2-1 win against The Gambia and lose 2-1 against the host Morocco after a late controversial penalty awarded to Morocco.

Notwithstanding the results, the players performed exceptionally well. Head Coach John Keister and his technical team used these friendly matches to identify players and to build a formidable squad for the Cameroon 2021 AFCON finals.

The contingent departed Morocco at 3:35 AM on Wednesday 13th October 2021, transited on Conakry Guinea and arrived at the Lungi International Airport at 12:45 PM on Wednesday. The rest of the other Leone Stars players playing abroad are expected to depart Morocco for their various destinations on Wednesday.

The SLFA President Thomas Daddy Brima gave his reactions and impressions about the just concluded friendlies in Morocco.

“I’m very much impressed with their performance. They have given us hope to compete at the AFCON this time, rather than to participate,” said Mr. Brima. He further lavishes praises on Leone Stars for their brilliant display against Morocco, “…who were left with no option but to cheat to win, this tells you how the team is becoming a threat to others in Africa,” he said.

Mr. Brima also disclosed that Leone Stars will be engaged in other international friendlies in November and December ahead of AFCON finals in January, 2022 in Cameroon.